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Journal of Wildlife and Parks, 36: 39-44 (2021)
Journal of Wildlife and Parks, 36: 39-44 (2021)

CASE REPORT: TREATMENT OF TRYPANOSOMES
INFESTATION IN A MALAYAN TIGER (Panthera tigris ssp.
jacksoni)

*Zubaidah, K., Siti-Suzana, S., Nur-Mala, A., Mohd-Zamri, R.
& Khairul-Anuar, A.L.

National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) Sungkai, Department of
Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) Peninsular
Malaysia, 35600 Sungkai, Perak.

*Corresponding author’s email: zubaidah@wildlife.gov.my

ABSTRACT

A male adult Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. jacksoni) was presented with
clinical signs of decreased appetite, inactive and gradual loss of body weight.
Diagnosis of trypanosomiasis was made based on thin blood smear examination.
The hematology and biochemistry results revealed anaemia and
hyperproteinaemia and present of marked enlargement of the liver upon
abdominal ultrasound. Early treatment with Immiticide ® (melarsomine
dihydrochloride) only showed partial recovery of the infection. Follow up
treatment with two doses of Berenil (diminazene aceturate) at 3.5 mg/kg by
®
intramuscular injection resulted in full recovery.

Keywords: Malayan tiger, trypanosomes, melarsomine dihydrochloride,
diminazene aceturate

Received (19-May-2020); Accepted (11-January-2021); Available online
(25-March-2021).

Citation: Zubaidah, K., Siti-Suzana, S., Nur-Mala, A., Mohd-Zamri, R. &
Khairul-Anuar, A.L. (2021). Case report: treatment of trypanosomes infestation in
a Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. jacksoni). Journal of Wildlife and Parks, 36:
39-44.

INTRODUCTION

Trypanosoma is an extracellular protozoan blood parasite that affects most
domestic animals and wildlife. The major veterinary importance species are
Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, T. brucei brucei, T. simiae, T. evansi, T.